£4000 raised for Youth Mission team

Clergy, young people and friends entertained a packed Middlesbrough Theatre to raise money for MYMission, the Diocesan Youth Mission Team on the 14 – 15 January. The variety show, compered by Canon Gerard Robinson boasted some new acts as well as some familiar faces!

The show was a great success and early indications are that it raised around £4000 for MYMission. Fr Paul Farrer said “Rocking in the Aisles has become a bit of an institution. Every year we say that this will be the last one, but then along comes some need or other and we know that the show is a way of raising money and entertaining people.”

Ten year old Grace King From St Mary’s Cathedral opened the show with a fantastic rendition of ‘Tomorrow’ from the musical Annie. Deacon Len Collings, back by popular demand, raised the roof as Neil Diamond while Middlesbrough born Canon Michael Loughlin left Hull for a couple of nights to wow the audience with songs from the shows Accompanied by Phill Scarr on the piano and his niece, Liz Jayasuriya on the violin.

Grace returned to the stage with her friend Eleanor Richarsdon to perform some fantastic gymnastics. The Spotlight School of Performing Arts entertained the crowd with Queen and Journey classics. The show would not be complete without the infamous Chancey Brothers! Their adoring Teesside public had their first chance to see Canon Dan Spaight’s replacement, Fr Pat Hartnett! The super-group proved as popular as ever! However, their popularity may have been thwarted by a special guest appearance from X Factor’s Wagner!

The second half kicked off with the Great Eamonndo of Estonia, just outside Grangetown! The great showman had the crowd laughing at loud at his magic tricks and jokes. The night was rounded off with Fr Paul Farrer and the Scratch Band performing Beatles’ classics. The band, complete with wigs were, joined by all of the acts to round off the night with Hey Jude.

Fr Paul continues,

We would never take for granted the support that we are given by so many people. There are so many who give their time and talents for nothing to make the show the success it is, and then the nearly 1000 people who buy tickets each year are a huge part of the story too. In fact, the whole enterprise really is a huge family having a night out together, having fun, and doing some good at the same time.’

‘This year the money goes to support the work of the MYMission Team which continues to make a positive impact on the Diocese during its first year of life. Thank you all for your support.

Follow the MYMission team at mymission.org.uk